Auto-programming of a dryer based on the washer cycle

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a programmable appliance having a dryer and a control system operatively connected to the dryer, the control system adapted to create a dryer instruction based on the washing mode selection and to apply the dryer instruction to the dryer. According to a method of the present invention, a dryer is programmed by receiving a washing mode selection associated with a washer, automatically creating a dryer mode selection from the washing mode selection, and applying the dryer mode selection to the dryer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for autoprogramming of a dryer based on a washer cycle. More specifically, thisinvention relates to automatically determining dryer settings based onwasher settings to reduce or eliminate an operator's need to manuallycontrol the dryer's settings.

[0002] Washing machines (also called washers) and drying machines (alsocalled dryers) are two types of machines that are closely associatedwith one another. Typically, laundry is washed in the washing machineand then, upon completion of the wash cycle, the laundry is placed inthe drying machine for drying. Of course, one need not use both machinesand can use one or the other to perform its respective function.Nevertheless, these two types of appliances are often used incombination with each other, as shown in the prior art.

[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,778 to Cotton discloses acombined washer and dryer unit. In addition, other prior art attemptshave been made at combining the units themselves. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 3,707,856 to Niewyk, et al. discloses a combination washer/dryer.Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,761 to Oh discloses a washing machinehaving a built in method of drying.

[0004] Despite these advances in the washers and dryers, problemsremain. In particular, problems regarding user interface of washers anddryers have not been addressed.

[0005] Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea method, apparatus, and system for an auto programmable dryer thatimproves upon the state of the art.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method,apparatus and system for an auto programmable dryer capable ofdetermining dryer selections based on washer cycle selections.

[0007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide amethod, apparatus and system for an improved dryer that reduces theamount of user interaction required to properly select dryer settings.

[0008] A still further object of the present invention is to provide amethod, apparatus and system for an auto programmable dryer thatprovides for a single control unit to be used to control both a washerand a dryer.

[0009] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide amethod, apparatus and system for an improved dryer that is capable ofstoring dryer selections.

[0010] These and other objects, features, or advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the specification and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention is a method, apparatus and system for autoprogramming of a dryer based on a washer cycle. The apparatus of theinvention provides for a programmable dryer. The dryer has a controlsystem adapted to create a dryer instruction based on a washing modeselection and to then apply the dryer instruction to the dryer. In thismanner, the appliance can receive a washing mode selection from a washerand determine drying instructions based on the washing mode selections.This reduces the number of selections that need to be made by anoperator of the dryer, simplifying the process of washing and dryinglaundry.

[0012] According to a system of the present invention a washer and dryerare in communication with one another. The washer includes at least oneuser input for controlling a wash cycle. Then the dryer is adapted toreceive a dryer input for controlling drying based on the wash cycle ofthe washer. The washer and dryer can be within the same housing and/orcan be stacked. Further, the washer and dryer can be part of acombination unit where a single chamber is used for both washing anddrying.

[0013] According to a method of the present invention, a dryer can beprogrammed to receive a washing mode selection associated with a washer.Then the method provides for automatically creating a dryer modeselection based on the washing mode selection and applying the dryermode selection to the dryer. The method provides for receivingverification of the dryer mode selection from an operator and receivingmodifications to the dryer mode selections from the operator if need be.Further, according to the method of the present invention, multipledryer mode selections and/or washing mode selections may be grouped as afavorite selection. Then an operator need only select the favoriteselection in order to effectively make all the associated selections.

[0014] Thus, the present invention provides for advantages in theconvenience and use of the dryer as dryer mode selections can beautomatically established based on washer mode selections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a stacked washer and dryeraccording to the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 1B is an isometric view of a combination washer and dryeraccording to the present invention.

[0017] FIGS. 2A-C are block diagrams showing washer/dryer systemsaccording to the present invention.

[0018]FIGS. 3A through 3B are pictorial representations of userinterfaces according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method according to the presentinvention.

[0020]FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of a user interface accordingto the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of another method according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022]FIG. 1A is a diagram of a stacked washer and dryer according tothe present invention. FIG. 1A shows a system for washing and drying 10having a washer 12 and a dryer 14. The system also includes a controlpanel 16. Although the system 10 shown is a stacked configuration, thepresent invention contemplates any placement of a washer with respect toa dryer provided that the washer 12 is in operative communication withthe dryer 14.

[0023] Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1B.In FIG. 1B a combination washer/dryer 11 uses a chamber 13 for bothwashing and drying. The combination washer/dryer 11 includes a controlpanel 16.

[0024]FIG. 2A is a block diagram showing the washer 12 in operativeconnection with a control unit 15 which is operatively connected to auser interface 16. The control unit 15 can provide electronic control ofthe washer 12 and dryer 14. For example, the control unit 15 can includean intelligent control such as a processor, controller, electroniccircuit, or other control mechanism. The user interface 16 operativelyconnected to the control 15 may provide for user input and/or useroutput. For example, the user interface 16 may include dials, buttons,and switches such as are conventionally associated with washer and/ordryer controls. Alternatively, the user interface 16 may include adisplay, a touch screen display, or other means for providing user inputand/or user output.

[0025]FIG. 2B is a block diagram where control is divided between awasher control unit 15A and a dryer control unit 15B. The washer controlunit 15A is in operative communication with the dryer control unit 15B.Each of the control units can include an intelligent control such as aprocessor, controller, electronic circuit, or other control mechanism.Each of the control units 15A and 15B are also operatively connected toa user interface 16.

[0026]FIG. 2C shows another embodiment where a combination washer/dryer11 is operatively connected to a control unit 15 and the control unit 15is operatively connected to a user interface 16.

[0027]FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of a user interface 16. The userinterface 16 shown is illustrative and not limiting as the presentinvention contemplates any number of user interfaces including anynumber of input controls. For example, in FIG. 3A, a user interface 16Ais shown. In user interface 16A, the type of laundry being washed isindicated by control 18A which provides for “cotton sturdy.”Similarly,the wash temperature is selected by the user input 20A. The user input20A indicates “warm.” This instructs the washer to use warm water in thewash cycle. Another user input is indicated by user input 22A. Here,user input 22A indicates the rinse temperature of the water used duringthe rinse cycle. The user input 22A indicates that “cold” rinse watershould be used.

[0028] Similarly, the user interface 16A includes dryer controls. Forexample, the temperature of the dryer can be selected. The control 24Aindicates that the temperature to be used for drying is “regular.”Similarly, an additional drying instruction 26A is indicated showingthat the dryer should use a “more dry” mode, which results in a greaterdrying time period.

[0029] Similarly, FIG. 3B shows a user interface for a washer and dryer.In FIG. 3B the washer is set to delicate mode 18B, the wash temperatureis set to cold 20B and the rinse cycle is set to cold 22B, the dryerportion is set to delicate 24B and the drying instruction is set to dampdry 26B. The present invention contemplates any number of washer anddryer selections. Those given are merely illustrative.

[0030] According to the present invention the washer instructions orcontrols are used to determine the drying instructions or controls. Forexample, the settings for the washer shown in FIG. 3A, including “cottonsturdy” with a “warm” wash cycle and a “cold” rinse cycle are,interpreted according to the present invention to indicate a dryertemperature of “regular” and a dryer instruction of “more dry.”Similarly, the washer instructions in FIG. 3B can be used to createdryer instructions. For example, the “delicate” type with the “cold”wash cycle and the “cold” rinse cycle for the washer indicate that anappropriate dryer setting would be for the temperature to be set to a“delicate” temperature and that the dry setting be set to “damp dry.” Inthis manner, the present invention provides for a dryer to be programmedbased on the washer instructions.

[0031] The present invention further provides that the user interface 16need not show both the washer settings and the dryer settingssimultaneously. Instead, the washer settings of FIG. 3 may be displayed,the dryer settings being held in escrow until the dryer door is openedor another event occurs. Once the dryer door is opened or another eventoccurs, the settings for the dryer are shown by the user interface 16.The dryer settings shown are preferably automatically selected based onthe washer settings.

[0032]FIG. 4 provides one example of a method according to the presentinvention. In step 30 of FIG. 4, the washer receives wash cycleinstructions. The washer can receive these instructions from a userthrough a user interface or otherwise. In step 32, wash cycleinstructions are used to determine dryer cycle instructions. The presentinvention provides for this determination to be made based on a table ofwash cycle instructions and corresponding dryer cycle instructions thatcan be stored in a control unit. Optionally, the table can be modifiedby the past selections made by an operator. The present inventioncontemplates any number of methods of associating wash cycleinstruction, with dryer instructions, the use of the table is merely oneoften convenient method. Other methods may be more appropriate for usein a particular application. The present invention fully contemplatesthese and other variations.

[0033] In step 34, a user can optionally determine whether the dryerinstructions are appropriate. If not, then in step 36 the operator canmodify the instructions or otherwise provide alternative instructionsfor a drying operation. If in step 34, an operator confirms the dryerinstructions, then in step 38 the dryer instructions are applied to thedryer. The present invention contemplates that steps 34 and 36 areoptional. The dryer can automatically proceed without confirmation oralteration of the instructions by an operator.

[0034]FIG. 5 illustrates another user interface of the presentinvention. According to FIG. 5, the user interface 16C has a favoriteoption 40. The favorite option 40 allows an operator to select afavorite setting. The favorite setting is a collection of one or morewasher and/or dryer instructions. The favorite selection is used to autoprogram the entire washing and drying cycle. The favorite selection canbe stored in nonvolatile memory.

[0035]FIG. 6 illustrates a method for applying a favorite selection. Instep 42 a favorite selection is received. The favorite selection can bereceived through use of a button or other input. Based on the favoriteselection 42, the washer cycle is determined in step 44. Once the washercycle is determined in step 44, the dryer cycle is determined in step46. Then the washer instructions are applied in step 48 and dryerinstructions are applied in step 50. The present invention contemplatesthat the steps need not flow in the order given. For example, the washerinstructions can be applied before the dryer cycle is determined.

[0036] Thus, methods, system, and apparatus for auto programming of adryer based on a washer cycle has been disclosed. The present inventionprovides for variations in the specific washer settings and dryersettings used, the type of user controls, the physical configuration ofthe washer/dryer, the configuration of the electronic controls, andother variations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A programmable appliance comprising: a washer; adryer; and a control system operatively connected between the washer andthe dryer, the control system adapted to create a dryer instructionbased on a washing mode selection and to apply the dryer instruction tothe dryer.
 2. The programmable appliance of claim 1 further comprising auser input operatively connected to the control system.
 3. Theprogrammable appliance of claim 2 wherein the control system is adaptedto modify a dryer instruction with a user instruction received from theuser input.
 4. A system for washing and drying comprising: a washeradapted to receive at least one user input for controlling a wash cycle;a dryer in communication with the washer, the dryer adapted to receive adryer input for controlling drying based on the user input forcontrolling the wash cycle of the washer.
 5. The system of claim 4wherein the user input is selected from a set comprising a touchdisplay, a dial, a button, and a switch.
 6. The system of claim 4wherein the washer and the dryer are positioned in a stacked position.7. The system of claim 4 further comprising a housing wherein thehousing contains the washer and the dryer.
 8. The system of claim 7wherein the washer and dryer share a single chamber.
 9. A system forwashing and drying comprising: a washer; a dryer; a control systemoperatively connected to the washer and the dryer, the control systemadapted to receive at least one wash cycle instruction; wherein thecontrol system is adapted to control the dryer according to dry cycleinstructions, the dry cycle instructions based on the at least one washcycle instruction.
 10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a userinput operatively connected to the control system, the user inputadapted to receive the wash cycle instructions from an operator.
 11. Thesystem of claim 9 wherein the washer and dryer are stacked.
 12. Thesystem of claim 9 further comprising a housing wherein the housingcontains the washer and the dryer.
 13. The system of claim 9 furthercomprising a user display operatively connected to the control system.14. A method of programming a dryer comprising: receiving a washing modeselection associated with a washer; automatically creating a dryer modeselection from the washing mode selection; and applying the dryer modeselection to the dryer.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprisingreceiving verification of the dryer mode selection from an operator. 16.The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving modifications to thedryer mode selection from an operator.
 17. The method of claim 14wherein the washing mode selection is selected from the set comprising:a wash cycle temperature, a rinse cycle temperature, a type of washload, and a favorite selection.
 18. The method of claim 14 wherein thedryer mode selection is selected from the set comprising a temperatureselection, a time selection, a dry selection, and a favorite selection.19. The method of claim 14 further comprising displaying the dryer modeselection on a user interface.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein thestep of displaying the dryer mode selection on a user interface occursafter a dryer door is opened.